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What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Visual Arts pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Fashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear.

Insider Info

Additional Information

A fine arts program in fashion design will offer you the design, sewing and marketing skills you'll need.

Fashion designer Karen Pottle says it helps to have technical skills and a design history before you go for training. "It's such an advantage...if you have background behind you because you learn so much more. When I was going to school, some people that were doing the course didn't seem to have as much background as I had. They spent a lot of time catching up and I just spent a lot of time creating," she says.

Graduating from one of the many fashion design programs in the U.S. could help you land an entry-level position at a design house.

"Manufacturers and design houses sometimes recruit staff from the graduates of fashion design schools," says designer Claudia Bishop. "Many students who take fashion co-op programs also get hired on full time by the people they worked for in co-op."

Formal education should be only part of your training. Visit textile factories, go to fashion shows, and tour art galleries and museums.

People watching is a great way to check out the limits of what you can do with fashion.

"There's often a big difference between what people are wearing and what's actually out there for fashion. It's a good way to scope out what your buyers will wear," says designer Liz Tompkins.

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.